The Powerful Benefits of Yoga

From increased flexibility to a decrease in cortisol, the stress causing hormone, yoga packs some powerful perks to improve your overall health and wellness.

So you've heard that yoga is good for you, but what's it really all about?

People find yoga for a myriad of reasons: back pain, depression and anxiety, stress reduction, injury recovery, increased flexibility and stability, to build strength, or simply to gain an overall sense of health and wellbeing. No matter what the reason, I can assure you that if you establish and fully immerse yourself into a regular practice, yoga will transform you both physically and emotionally.

The word Yoga, which is derived from Sanskrit, means yoke or “union” and is an ancient practice that brings together the mind, body and spirit. If you allow yourself to become vulnerable to the practice, you will find that all three; mind, body, and spirit will transform into their best, most authentic versions for a better overall You.

Patanjali, who is known as the “father of Yoga” and author of the commonly referenced Yoga Sutras, said -

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”

So what exactly are the benefits of yoga and in what ways can it transform you to this better person?

The health benefits alone should be enough to make you establish your practice today. Science has confirmed that yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure and increase circulation, increase joint function, reduce known cardiovascular disease and heart disease risk factors, and even influence gene expression to boost your immune system! And it doesn't stop there, yoga also strengthens bones and combats osteoporosis, improves digestion, detoxifies the body, increases flexibility and balance, builds strength and muscle tone and relieves chronic pain and body aches. Maintaining flexibility and range of motion in later years increases quality of life, and coupled with all of the health benefits, yoga has been proven to increase longevity aiding in a long, healthy and youthful life.

Beyond the physical benefits, the mental health benefits of yoga are just as impressive, which is why yoga has become an adjunct therapy for individuals to reduce depression and anxiety, and increase quality of life. Science has confirmed that practicing yoga reduces cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, and releases serotonin and dopamine in the brain to reduce anxiety and depression. Yoga activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” instinct, leaving you in a more relaxed state. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce blood markers for inflammation, showing reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (specific molecules that regulate inflammation) and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, heart disease, weakened immune system, and depression...just to name a few! Pretty serious stuff, right? Good news is, it’s never too late to pick up a yoga practice. You’ll notice some of these slight positive impacts almost immediately, and with regular practice, the positive health benefits are endless and undeniable.

So whatever it may be that has brought you to explore yoga, if you allow yourself to be vulnerable to the practice and its benefits, as I said before, yoga will transform you. This transformation is a beautiful journey that will allow you to explore the relationship you have with yourself and those around you, allow you to live more fully in the present moment, provide you with a deep sense of inner calm and clarity, and allow you to embody a deeper, more meaningful and satisfying life.